Dear Eltopo,
see below.
op 13-04-2003 13:39 schreef eltopo1uk op eltopo_@...:
'he who

> attends the sick' today in the twenty first century (or any other
> century) in some sense attends on the Buddha. So I would like to
> know is it fair to read it in this way, or would this be to take it
> out of context? The Thanisarro Bhikkhu version seeems more like
> those who wish to attend on me (the historical Buddha), and so that
> the opportunity to attend the Buddha only applies to those bhikkus
> who lived contemporaneously with him. So my question re translation
> is also about how one should read the suttas, and how one views the
> Buddha. Of course the Buddha is talking to the Bikkhus when he says
> this, but does it have any relevance to us today?

N: I am so surprised, I am really touched by this text. How true is this
text. I just thought of this, when today helping my very ailing, old father
(almost dying, 102) to eat something. At first I felt so clumsy and awkward
to feed him with a spoon, not being used to such experience. I was thinking
of paying respect to the Buddha while doing this, and then I remembered
having seen this text, but did not know the good writer, because I have many
mails in a day. I am glad now. Thank you very much, you are helping me. It
is really true that you while tending a sick person can pay respect to the
Buddha, thinking of him and thus attend to the Buddha. We try to practise
what he taught.
Also in the Vinaya there is sutta. The Tipitaka contains messages not only
for people long ago but for each one of us now.
Nina.

In the Pali Text Society,
it

> is translated 'He who attends on the sick attends on me'. (Vinaya
> Pitaka i, 301ff)